Open AccessAnesthetic Considerations for Myasthenia Gravis and Pregnancy
Author(s) -
W H Rolbin,
Gershon Levinson,
S M Shnider,
Raymond W. Wright
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/00000539-197807000-00013
Subject(s) - medicine , myasthenia gravis , anesthetic , pregnancy , anesthesia , vaginal delivery , obstetric anesthesia , genetics , biology
Three pregnant patients with myasthenia gravis are presented and anesthetic considerations discussed. The course of myasthenia gravis is highly variable and unpredictable during pregnancy. Anticholinesterase therapy should be maintained during labor, and the IM route of administration is preferred. Exacerbations very often occur in the immediate postpartum period. Regional anesthesia is preferred for vaginal delivery. In the case of cesarean section, general anesthesia may be preferable. Neonatal myasthenia gravis is a transient syndrome that appears in 20 to 30% of the newborns of myasthenic mothers.